EAT: GlutenZero Bakery, Las Vegas, NV

I was excited to find a dedicated gluten free bakery during a recent trip to Las Vegas, NV. I have found Las Vegas to be pretty gluten free friendly (hello In-N-Out Burger!), but had not discovered a gluten free bakery until now. GlutenZero is located on the south side of Las Vegas, not far from Paradise and Henderson. 

GlutenZero is a small, quaint bakery with a large map on the wall. Each visitor can leave their "mark" on the map. It was fascinating to see that people from all over the world have visited the bakery! The owner, Clarissa, was in the bakery during my visit and was very friendly and helpful. I had a great conversation with her and another customer whose husband is gluten free. Clarissa is a great resource and she is dedicated to offering tasty gluten free choices. 

My visit was during late morning and I decided on a huge cinnamon roll as a late breakfast. Very tasty. Clarissa even heated it for me. I tend to be limited with my corn allergy, but Clarissa knew exactly which items I could and could not have. I was disappointed with the limited seating, as the bakery seems to be more of a grab-and-go instead of a sit down and enjoy. Clarissa was busy making a delicious looking gluten free birthday cake, so if you are celebrating in the area, be sure to order yours!

I also ordered a couple of chocolate chip cookies for my flight home. They were also large in size and were more crunchy than gooey.

Be sure to check out GlutenZero Bakery during your next visit to Las Vegas. The portion sizes were generous and prices were pretty average compared to other gluten free bakeries I have visited across the country. Clarissa really knows her stuff with gluten free baking and being a Celiac herself, wants to make sure great gluten free options are available to all. Definitely stop in and check out the bakery and tell Clarissa I sent you!

GlutenZero Bakery

9500 S Eastern Ave. 

Las Vegas, NV 89123

702.767.3408

www.glutenzerobakery.com

EAT: Sage Restaurant, Aria Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

So, you wanted to know my favorite restaurant (and very food allergy friendly) in Las Vegas??  It is Sage Restaurant, located in the Aria Hotel. With a hip, modern vibe, low lighting, and amazingly entertaining staff, Sage has great food and great fun all in one.

My gluten free dinner companion raved about Sage, and I thought, could it really live up to all the hype. Yes! I even ate there twice during my trip! Both times, I was with a large group, and we all know how nerve-racking it is to eat with food allergies in a large group. Will my  requests for gluten and corn free be heard amongst all the glutenous bread eaters? 

My first trip to Sage really set the stage. Bond was our server, and if you have a chance to eat at Sage, be sure to ask to be seated in Bond's section. He was super knowledgeable about the food, made great recommendations, and was the most entertaining server I have ever had! Sage does not have a gluten free menu, but Bond went over the menu with me, checked on a couple of items, and made sure my order (and any shared appetizers) would be gluten and corn free.

My gluten free dinner companion recommended that I order my own Foie Gras Custard Brulee and it did not disappoint! Complete with Kumquat and Toasted Cocoa Nibs, it was like heaven on earth. Smooth, rich, and creamy, it went perfectly with the gluten free and corn free Edmund's Oast bread from Charleston, SC I brought with me on the trip.

The table ordered the Grilled Spanish Octopus with Bloomsdale Spinach, Chorizo Aioli, and Marcona Almond Romesco. This was my first taste of Octopus! Interesting with a lot of flavor, but the octopus had kind of rubbery texture and tasted like chicken. ;)

For my entree, Bond recommended the Maine Day Boat Scallops with Braised Oxtail, Wild Mushrooms, and Salted Caramel Reduction. My gluten free dinner companion and I both ordered the dish. Very tasty! The three large scallops were seared nicely and the oxtail gave the dish added flavor. I really liked that the server who brought out our entrees stated that each dish was gluten free. The added touch always makes me feel that the kitchen staff took extra care of our order to ensure the safest meal possible.

On our second trip to Sage, unfortunately Bond was not working that night, but our server was knowledgeable about food allergies as well, yet much more subdued than Bond. That night, we ordered the gluten free Foie Gras Custard Brulee for appetizers and I ordered the gluten free Grimaud Farms Duck with Beluga Lentils, Spiced Pumpkin, and Quince. The duck had a nice flavor and of course, the presentation was on point.

My gluten free dinner companion ordered the gluten free Grilled American Kobe Skirt Steak with Shishito Pepper, Salsa Verde, Creamy Cauliflower, and Almonds. He said the steak was cooked to a nice medium rare and paired well with the salsa verde and cauliflower.

For dessert, there was a nice selection, but I highly recommend the Foie Gras Candy Bar. Bond checked on its gluten and corn free status and it was a go. Be sure to order no popcorn garnish if you are corn free. It was the most amazing dessert I have ever had! Small in size, it is perfect for one person. It was very rich, smooth, and creamy. A Snickers bar times 100! It has Salt and Pepper Peanut Butter Cream, Bourbon Caramel Drizzle, amd Single Origin Milk Chocolate. Of course, everyone ordered the Candy Bar both nights! How often are you in Las Vegas anyway?! Doesn't the saying go: "What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas"? Does that include calories??

If you are in Las Vegas, you must go to Sage Restaurant in the Aria Hotel. The service, the selection, and the food allergy accommodations make it a must visit. I am already counting down to my next time to Sage!

Sage Restaurant

Aria Hotel

3730 South Las Vegas Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

877.230.2742

http://www.aria.com/dining/restaurants/sage

EAT: Aureole, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV

Most people go to Las Vegas for a dinner and a show. Why not have both at the same time?! At Aureole in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, you get both. In the center of the grand dining room is a four story wine tower, complete with "flying wine angels," as they are called, who retrieve bottles of wine ordered by guests each night.Which bottle will you select?

Aureole is one of the 18 restaurants in the renowned Chef Charlie Palmer's Restaurant Group, which has locations in New York City, Washington DC, Nevada, and California. Aureole does not have a gluten free menu, but we were impressed with the knowledge of our server about food allergies. He even brought us gluten free chebe bread made in house! Chebe bread is an Italian cheese bread and was delicious with butter.

To start our meal, we ordered the gluten free Seared Hudson Foie Gras with savoy cabbage samosa, ginger carrot puree, and mount hood wild huckleberry. Smooth, creamy, delicious, and seared nicely. Foie Gras is very popular in Las Vegas and it is definitely an acquired taste. I found the Foie Gras in Las Vegas to be smoother and less strong than others I have tried around the country. Aureole's was by far the best Foie Gras we had in Las Vegas, except for the Foie Gras at Sage, which incorporated its foie gras into a brulee and a candy bar.

For the entree, I ordered the Niman Ranch Pork Chop with Collard Greens, Bacon Bits, and Spicy Pig's Ear Salad. It also came with a Bartlett Pear Tart, but that was not gluten free, so as a substitution, pears were sliced on top.The dish was very tasty and had a nice fusion of flavors.

My dinner companion also ordered gluten free and decided upon the 18 oz Bone In Rib Eye with Garlic Firecracker and Classic Bearnaise. It was cooked to a nice medium rare and was very flavorful.

Aureole should definitely be on your list on places to eat in Las Vegas. It was in my Top 2 for my trip.Our server was very knowledgeable about food allergies, and the food was fabulous. I really enjoyed watching the "wine angel" repel up and down the tower retrieving wine. In fact, she was only retrieving bottles about half way up most of the night, and we joked to our server that the really expensive ones must be at the top. His response was no, but he did send her a request to go to the top of the tower just for us to see. Definitely a great dinner and show!

Aureole
Mandalay Bay Resort
3950 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702.632.7401
http://www.charliepalmer.com/aureole-las-vegas/

EAT: Stripsteak, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV

Stripsteak, located in Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, gives the traditional steakhouse a modern twist. It uses the finest ingredients and is the brain-child of Chef Michael Mina, acclaimed chef and winner of Chef of the Year by numerous magazines.

Even though Stripsteak does not have a gluten free menu, its staff was very knowledgeable about gluten free and other food allergies. Both the bartender and our server informed us that the french fries are fried in a dedicated fryer and are gluten free! They were tasty and fried to a nice golden brown.

Once again, I was dining with a group, but Stripsteak and its staff made sure to confirm the gluten free status of all items. As an appetizer, the group ordered the Foie Gras Trilogy (pictured above). Yes, you are saying "there are only two items on that plate, not three!" Two parts of the trilogy were gluten free, but not the third, so the chef placed the gluten item on a separate plate that did not touch the other two items, yet could still be enjoyed by the gluten eaters in the group.

I ordered the gluten free 10 oz Angus Filet Mignon. Each steak comes a la carte with no side items. It was flavorful and cooked to a nice medium.

My gluten free dinner companion in the group ordered the Bone-In Filet. It is an item not on the regular menu, but be sure to ask about it if it interests you. He said it was tasty and cooked to a nice medium rare.

Stipsteak has a fun atmosphere tucked away on the restaurant "strip" in Mandalay Bay. The staff did a great job accommodating our large group and was very knowledgeable with food allergies. Would definitely recommend if you are craving a nice steak in Las Vegas.

Stripsteak
Mandalay Bay Hotel
3950 South Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702.632.7200
http://www.mandalaybay.com/dining/stripsteak/

EAT: Gallagher's Steakhouse, New York-New York Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Gallagher's Steakhouse, located in New York New York Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, is a busy steakhouse where the steaks are dry aged in house. It has a nice atmosphere with cozy small tables. 

Gallagher's Steakhouse has an extensive gluten free menu with an variety of steaks. Normally, their steaks have a Demi-glaze on them when they arrive at the table, but the Demi-glaze is not gluten free and is omitted on a gluten free meal. Beware that if a steak is considered too rare by the customer and sent back to be cooked up, there is a chance that the Demi-glaze is on the grill. Our server, Todd, informed us of this during our order which allowed me to ask for my Filet to be cooked in a pan. 

I ordered the gluten free Center Cut Filet Mignon cooked in a pan with a loaded Colossal Baked Potato. The Filet was cooked to a nice medium.

My dinner companion decided on the gluten free Porterhouse after being told that Gallagher's was sold out of Prime Rib and the Catch of the Day, Chilean Sea Bass, at 8:30pm on Saturday night. He also ordered a side of sautéed spinach.

I thought Gallagher's Steakhouse was a pretty average steakhouse. I did like the selection of gluten free options on the gluten free menu, but as always in Las Vegas, the prices were high. 

Gallagher's Steakhouse

New York-New York Hotel

3790 South Las Vegas Blvd.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

http://www.newyorknewyork.com/restaurants/gallaghers-steakhouse.aspx

EAT: Cut Las Vegas: Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse, Palazzo Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

Cut is Wolfgang Puck's restaurant in The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. His first Cut location is in the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, CA and is named as one of the top 3 steakhouses in America by Bon Appetit Magazine.

Being known for its steaks, it offers a wide selection of cuts from across the country. Select a steak from Illinois, Nebraska, Washington State, Idaho, or 100% Wagyu Beef from Japan. Cut did not have a gluten free menu, but our server was knowledgeable about food allergies and told us what items on the menu were safe.

I was dining with a large group, where only two of us were gluten free. I find it difficult in most settings with a large group to feel comfortable that my dietary needs are being met, but Las Vegas has been much easier than other places. Cut was no exception. Our server suggested the gluten free Maple Glazed Pork Belly with Asian Spices, Watercress, Sesame-Orange Dressing, and Huckleberry Compote. Very tasty!

Our server also suggested the gluten free Maine Diver Scallop "Carpaccio," Shaved Cucumber, Young Onion, and Wasabi-Yuzu Ponzu. It was also tasty. The Wasabi sauce gave the scallops a little kick of flavor.

For the entree, I decided to find out what all the hype is about and tried the 6 oz American Waygu Filet from Idaho. Every restaurant in Las Vegas promotes the Waygu beef and how it follows an ancient Japanese technique where the cow is massaged so that the beef is higher in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids than traditional beef. Also, it has an increased marbling that increases the ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fats. Sounds healthier, but comes with an added cost. I did not notice much difference in taste, but the filet was cooked to a nice medium. 

I was not blown away by the food at Cut. It was a nice restaurant with a good selection of beef options. The staff was knowledgeable about food allergies, which was nice, but I found other restaurants to be better choices for the money in Las Vegas.

Cut Las Vegas: Wolfgang Puck Steakhouse Restaurant

The Grand Canal Shops in the Palazzo

3325 South Las Vegas Blvd. 

Las Vegas, NV 89109

702.607.6300

http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/fine-dining/3801